University of California
Back on the Chain Gang
This is a very short article but is an argument against the chain gang as a method of punishment, an idea that is regaining popularity.
Digital History
Digital History: Creating New State Governments
See how state constitutions were the incubator of ideas that eventually became embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
Other
Edmund Randolph's Views on Separation of Church & State
A short article that discusses Randolph's beliefs regarding religion and the role of the state.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Anti Railroad Propaganda Poster
From the National Archives and Records Administration site, this lesson, focusing on a poster circulated in Philadelphia in 1839 to discourage the coming of the railroad, relates to the struggle to define the powers of the national and...
Other
Representative Democracy Has Failed
This politically oriented site outlines the degeneration of American Democracy and the erosion of democratic principles as exemplified by unconstitutional actions on the part of the Federal and State governments, as in the examples of...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: The 1858 69 Constututional Convention
With the freeing of slaves following the Emancipation Proclamation, African-Americans, including former slaves, began to take part in the government. Read about African-American Charles W. Bryant, Constitutional Convention delegate, and...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Challenges Faced by the New Nation
[Free Registration/Login Required] This unit covers the content area featuring the challenges faced by the new nation including the writing of the Constitution, government powers, the Bill of Rights and the War of 1812.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Sioux Treaty of 1868
The National Archives and Records Administration highlights the Sioux Treaty of 1868. The lesson provided here relates to the power granted to the president and the Senate in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, of the U.S. Constitution, the...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) presents the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a Constitutional issue. The lesson provided relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make treaties with foreign...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Lycurgus of Sparta
Encyclopedia article about Lycurgus of Sparta, who helped to establish Sparta's military-oriented society.
Other
Hawai'i Independent & Sovereign: The Overthrow of the Monarchy
An article from the in-flight magazine of Aloha Airlines relates the history of the events that led to the annexation of Hawaii in the 1890s.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Maya Lin
In this student-written article, learn about artist and sculptor, Maya Lin, who designed the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, the Civil Rights Memorial, as well as many other amazing amazing and influential architectural projects.
CNN
Cnn en Espanol: Week of 1 20 14: Egipto Aprueba Su Constitucion
In Spanish. Article reports on the approval in Egypt of the newly drafted consitution by a significant majority of votes.
Scientific American
Scientific American: What Is an Exothermic Reaction
Scientific American magazine, in the person of Dr. Gerald R. Van Hecke, gives a wonderfully complete answer to this question. Complete with very many hot words for additional background. And a wonderful NASA launch photo.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Bill of Rights
Article on the history and purpose of the Bill of Rights which spelled out specific protections in the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
Other
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The Declaration of Rights
Read the original, A Declaration of Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Articles I through XXX, complete with all parts of the adopted constitution and its amendments for governing colonial...
Read Works
Read Works: Born to Run
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating the necessity of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution which states that only natural-born American citizens can be elected President of the United States. A question...
Read Works
Read Works: Helping Hands
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text written by ten-year-old Rose Brooks about her trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in understanding...
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Other
World Socialist Web Site: Lieberman's Holy War Against the Bill of Rights
The World Socialist Web Site's editorial analysis of a comment by Joseph Liberman (Democratic vice-presidential candidate for the 2000 election), "the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion." (1 September...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Ronald Reagan and Executive Power [Pdf]
"Ronald Reagan and Executive Power" examines the use of presidential powers by Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States. It explores Article II of the Constitution, which grants the president executive powers.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Republic of Texas
A detailed history of the Republic of Texas, starting with its initial birth in 1836 when its Constitution was written, and the end of Texas's conflict with Mexico. The article discusses the many issues faced by the new Republic, the...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Sixth Amendment
Full text and detailed summary of the 6th Amendment to the Constitution. Site includes links to related resources including videos, timeline, and news articles.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Death Penalty
This resource offers extensive information for students and teachers examining the issue of the death penalty and whether it is morally right, if it violates the Constitution, and whether enforcing it has had any impact on violent crime....